Though there is nothing all that special about this breakfast, but it made me so happy this morning that I am inspired to share it with you.

Hot cereal has been a standby breakfast in our house this winter. Often on the weekends, I doctor up the usual with a little something special. This morning’s selection was extraordinarily pleasing. The scent of vanilla, the burst of fresh berries, the crunch of granola and a side of cinnamon toast were all anchored by a mound of creamy, warm cereal seven grain cereal.

Sometimes a good breakfast really can take your day and shove it off in the right direction. That is exactly what the aromas, textures, flavors and warmth from this meal did for me today. Mr. Whipped and Mini Whipped seemed equally enchanted. He bundled up and headed out to shovel the new fallen snow while the little one remained snug in her pink-striped footie jammies quietly playing with puzzles on the living room rug.

With the bright, white snow outside and Sunday morning sun streaming in our living room window, I took a half hour to escape into the travel section of the weekend Wall Street Journal. Over 8 months pregnant, with a toddler playing at my feet, this dreamy perusal of far off places can be tortuous. The cover photos promised a colorful weekend in Austin, Texas, a city they describe as “one, long Sunday afternoon.” *sigh* Spiked beers, honky-tonk dance halls, pork belly sliders, walls of colorful cowboy boots and moseying… lots and lots of moseying.

When Mr. Whipped came in from the cold, I called out, “once the baby is old enough and we have someone who can watch the kids, maybe you can whisk me off to Austin, Texas for a weekend?” He replied enthusiastically, “Yeah, maybe when you are done breast feeding, that would be a great treat.” A quick calculation, in my mind determined that would put as at spring of 2012 and for just a slight moment, I considered putting the satisfaction of my wanderlust ahead of my unborn child.

(thought bubble)hmmm… maybe I won’t breast feed for a whole year this time. Six months would be fine. That could get us to Austin to buy some new cowboy boots and drink tequila by mid Fall.

The truth is, I know my reality is its own dream in so many ways. A healthy family, wonderful friends, loving parents and jobs to support ourselves. Though I will keep dreaming of escapades to far off places, I am also still finding great satisfaction in a warm bowl of hot cereal.

Hot Cereal with Blueberries and Granola
You can use your favorite hot cereal, just adjust cooking liquid according to package directions.

Put 1 cup milk, 2 cups water and salt in a pan and heat until nearly boiling. Add the cup of cereal and reduce heat and cover. Cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally until thickened. Stir in the vanilla. Put cereal in bowls and sprinkle with brown sugar, granola, blueberries and an extra splash of cream or milk.

I also made some cinnamon sugar toasts to eat alongside. Butter some good bread and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Toast in the oven or toaster oven until crunchy.

oh yum. Will you bring this for me for breakfast next week? You know, because I know you need something to do. And do you still have that article? I’m actually going to Austin in a few months. I’ll take pictures for you.

Looked so amazing I had to make an emergency order for Bob’s redmill granola and hot cereal from Amazon over the weekend. My partner and I just signed up to run our first half marathon to raise money (in memory of her mom)for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We needed something warm and filling (that wouldn’t get too boring every day) for training. This is perfect!!

I eat oatmeal with berries and walnuts every morning, it’s such a filling and satisfying dish!
I’m right there with you about dreaming of going off and traveling, it crosses my mind every other moment of every day.
Austin, Texas= my BBQ craving, I will get there some day!

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